Conditions InDepth: End-stage Renal Disease (ESRD)

Renal (kidney) failure, is the inability of the kidneys to perform their normal functions. The kidneys are 2 bean-shaped organs on either side of the spine in the lower back. Their main functions are to remove waste from the body and to balance the water and mineral content of the blood by filtering waste, minerals, and water. The waste and water combine to form urine.

End-stage renal disease (ESRD) is a permanent condition in which the kidneys are no longer able to filter waste from the blood. As the wastes build up, the tiny filters (nephrons) in the kidneys continue to lose their filtering ability. Although damage to the nephrons may occur suddenly after an injury or poisoning, many kidney diseases take years or decades to cause noticeable damage. ESRD is generally diagnosed when kidney function drops to 10% of normal. The 2 most common causes of ESRD are:

Diabetes—the nephrons are damaged by chronically high blood sugar levels that occur in poorly controlled diabetes

Revision Information

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.

What I need to know about kidney failure and how it's treated. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases website. Available at:
http://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/health-topics/kidney-disease/kidney-failure-choosing-a-treatment-thats-right-for-you/Pages/ez.aspx.
Updated September 2014. Accessed November 17, 2016.

What is kidney failure? National Kidney Foundation website. Available at: https://www.kidney.org/atoz/content/kidneyFailure. Accessed November 17, 2016.